Optical recording using a photochromic ferroelectric liquid crystal

Journal Article · Fri Jun 15 04:00:00 EDT 2001 · Journal of Applied Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1373697· OSTI ID:40204175

Komitov, L; Tsutsumi, O; Ruslim, C; Ikeda, T; Ichimura, K; Yoshino, K

The direction of molecular switching, i.e., the sign of the electro-optic response, in ferroelectric liquid crystals depends on the polarity of the applied electric field as well as on the sign of the spontaneous polarization. Light-induced switching of the molecules by ultraviolet light was found in a photochromic ferroelectric liquid crystal at fixed field polarity. A high contrast image was recorded whose contrast could easily be inverted by reversing the field polarity. Moreover, in the presence of bistable boundary conditions, the optically recorded image can be stored after removal of the electric field. The effect of light-assisted switching in the photochromic ferroelectric liquid crystal seems to be promising for applications such as optical recording, all-optical switches, and image storage. {copyright} 2001 American Institute of Physics.

• Sponsoring Organization: (US)
• OSTI ID: 40204175
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 89; ISSN 0021-8979
• Publisher: The American Physical Society
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
LIQUID CRYSTALS
PHYSICS
POLARIZATION
REMOVAL
STORAGE
SWITCHES